Pet Connection picks for the best new pet products for 2008
By Gina Spadafori
February 28, 2008
>> See a slideshow of the top products.
What do you do when faced with 15 football fields worth of floor space at the San Diego Convention Center, all filled with the best pet gear around? When you’re at Global Pet Expo, the massive annual extravanganza of all things pet, you grab your notebooks and cameras and just start walking.
That’s what we did, splitting up the Pet Connection team to ferret out the coolest gear and come up with a list of our top 10. When we came back to compare notes, we were shocked to realize that seven product made all lists — and later, were honored by their peers in the trade show’s own awards. There was some good-natured haggling as we worked to fill the last three spots, but in the end, we came up with alist we were happy about.
Honestly, though, we could easilly have chosen a top 25, so after our Top 10 we’ll list a few more products that caught our eye. But first, and in no particular order, here’s the Pet Connection’s top 10 picks among new pet products that will soon be in retailers:
Fling-ama-string cat toy (Moody Pet; $25): Put in three AA batteries, hang the brightly colored toy on a door knob and watch your cat’s transformation from couch potato to hunter. The Fling-ama-string was so enticing we wanted to pounce on it, too. Moodypet.com.
Microwaveable Canine Cake (Claudia’s Canine Cuisine; $5-$6): The kit contains microwaveable mixing bowl, cake mix and frosting. Add water, microwave and decorate for a fun project for the kids. Ingredients are all pet-friendly, of course. claudiascaninecuisine.com
Celltei Pak o-Bird ($100 to $579 depending on size): Birds need a change of scenery, too. The Pak o-Bird is made from soft luggage material in a variety of colors and is designed to be carried like a backpack (the company also offers a foldable cart for $125). Inside the carrier are comfortable perches and food/water cups. www.celltei.com
DogTread Motorized Exercise Treadmill (PetZen products; $500): Treadmills for dogs (and people) have been around for quite a while, but the DogTread is designed specifically to keep small dogs (under 30 pounds) in shape. The unit folds for storage and has treat bowls to keep the dog’s attention forward.
petzenproducts.com
Bionaire Odor Grabber Litter Box (Jarden Animal Soln; $100): The Odor Grabber catches waste smell as well as airborne airborne pet dander and fur. The manufacturer says its quiet filter motor will not scare cats or annoy cat owners. www.jardencs.com
Toto Too Center Mounted Pet Seat for Dogs (Wigali LLC; $200): The plush Toto Too fits between front seats and provides a safe, secure and elevated ride for little dogs. The seat removes easily and comes with a shoulder strap. www.tototoo.net
Purrsuasions Catnectors Switch-n-snap cat toys (Sergeant’s; $4 to $8): Purrsuasions comes with a set of toys than can be snapped on and off the play glove for variety to keep cats engaged in play and owners entertained. sergeants.com.
Comfy Cone soft Elizabethan pet collar (Imagine That Designs/All Four Paws; $15): No more cone-heads! The Comfy Cone is an alternative to the hard plastic cone traditionally sent home with pets from the veterinary hospital. Keeps animals from damaging incisions and prevents the stress of hard plastic banging into everything and everyone. allfourpaws.com
Dogzilla Deep Freeze (PetMate/Aspen; $9 to $14): Take the Dogzilla Deep Freeze, some tiny treats, some meat broth and soon you have a chilly ice treat for your dog in the shape of a bone. Perfect for teething puppies. The rubber part of the treat is infused with a smell to attract pets to chew. Aspenpet.com
Other products that didn’t quite make our top 10 list but came very close, also in no particular order:
Fluval no-seam aquarium (Hagen; prices vary by size): Get a good look at all your fish with this gorgeous aquarium, made of Italian glass in a manufacturing process that allows for no seams on the side. Ikea-inspired design flows to the clean lines of the stand, that offers housing for all your supplies.
Lunabrite Be Seen Safety Flotation Device (The Sherpa Pet Group; $60-$130): A flotation device is important even for the strongest of swimmers, and this one device also comes equipped with a light that can be seen for up to 100 yards. Using no batteries or electricity and is charged on either sunlight or ambient light. The light only takes 5-30 minutes to charge and can last up to 8 hours. The flotation devices are available in six sizes. www.sherpapetgroup.com
Ring Zinger (Nature’s Instinct; $15): Launch the ring and it not only bounces like a ball but rolls, skips and hops. www.naturesinstinct.com
Sticky Sheets (Sunflower IP; $20): A quick and easy way to remove animal hair and lint from large areas such as couches, carpet, and car seats. The sheets are 3 feet by 2 feet and are reusable. www.stickysheets.com
Water Bottle Crunches (Bamboo; $12): Reuse and recycle your pets toys. The Water Bottle Crunchers combine a heavy duty canvas with a water bottle. Once the bottle is worn out by the dog’s chewing, refill the Cruncher with a new bottle, up to 20 oz. www.bamboopet.com
Acqua Bol (WowBow; $6): A folding water bowl that’s reuseable and the size of a credit card.
Paw Monster 5-in-1 pet cleaning tool (Paw Monster; $25): The brush like tool comes with a micro fiber washable mitt with a specially designed paw channel for easy cleanup of dirt and mud. The detachable handle includes an electro static brush for grooming. www.pawmonster.com
CatVantage floor-to-ceiling cat tree (DesignWerks.com; $196): A climber for cats made out of recycled PVC and white birch steps. www.CatVantage.net
Hound About Pet Stroller & Jogger (Solvit Products LP; $250-$300): Not just a converted baby stroller, designed with a dogs needs in mind. Has a heavy duty frame, large inflatable tires for a smooth ride, and a roomy cabin with a comfortable cushion. It is also designed with “parent” compartments for cell phone, wallet, mp3 player,and an insulated water bottle holder. A zippered sun roof allows for visibility as well as easy access into the cabin and there are three leash points. The stroller folds down for easy storage. www.solvitproducts.com
Please note that since these are all new products they might not yet be featured on company Web sites yet, and prices may change before they get to retailers.
(All photos by Pet Connection Director of Photography Morgan Ong. )
Poverty looms, the stock market is falling, and prices are rising, but I bought the Fling ama-string toy anyway. I could not resist it, and I hope my cats cannot, either.
I can give it to my daughter who has younger cats if mine abandon it.
The lady wanted to know how I heard about the toy and I said that I read it at the Pet Connection blog.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — February 29, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
That was one of the products we all liked, no haggling to make the list. Give us a report on how well it’s received in your home!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 29, 2008 @ 1:44 pm
I have a problem with the Purrsuasions Catnectors Switch-n-snap cat toy as it is never a good idea to use your hands as toys with cats or kittens. Clever idea, but put them on a short stick or something that doesn’t go on your hand.
Comment by Moira — February 29, 2008 @ 2:23 pm
Gina, I will let you know how my cats like the Fling ama-string toy.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — February 29, 2008 @ 9:58 pm
I was a photographer at the expo and I am disappointed again.Dogs and cats have brains and want to be stimulated mentally as well as physically, none of the “New”products stimulate the brain.I spent 2 bored days at the expo and I saw nothing all that interesting.I think our pets are falling by the wayside like our children because of lack of creativity in their liesure time activities,c’mon.There is a designer out there that’s drawing up some great big ideas if only all those big fancy companies would listen.I got his buisiness card at the expo.Go check his work out at http://www.coroflot.com and search “Bryan Stone”to see his amazing concepts.Ciao for now,Ross
Comment by Ross — March 5, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
How was the expo regarding green toys for cats and dogs? I think it’s equally important to promote and purchase toys made by people and companies that are trying to reduce the amount of waste involved in the manufacture of such items. My girlfriend just started a pet-supply business (The Leash We Can Do!) that only provides items from some pretty amazing companies, including Planet Dog, West Paw, and even a local (Chicago) friend who uses only organic material for her cat toys. It seems that pet owners can also become smart consumers who care for their beloved friends and the planet at the same time.
Comment by Mark Bullock — March 24, 2008 @ 8:09 pm
I am searching for information on Lumbar sprains, cervical sprains and herniated Disc, can you help me? I would like to better understand these subjects for my dog is subject to these problems. I have surched over 23 web pages with no success. Thank you for your time sincerely Carole
Comment by Carole — June 2, 2008 @ 7:05 pm